Landlords worry about the ‘Right to request pets’ in the Renters (Reform) Bill

Landlords worry about the ‘Right to request pets’ in the Renters (Reform) Bill

9:09 AM, 3rd May 2024, About 8 months ago 11

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Landlords in England say they are worried about the potential impact of the Renters (Reform) Bill on allowing tenants to request permission to keep pets in their home.

The findings from property services firm Leaders Romans Group (LRG) reveal that 56% of landlords anticipate negative consequences.

While the Bill will see section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions being abolished, many landlords fear the ‘right to request a pet’ will create challenges with property maintenance.

They also say that landlord-tenant relationships will be affected.

Last year, 53% of homes in the UK had a pet.

‘Introduction of pet-friendly policies in rental agreements’

LRG‘s group director of property management, Kim Lidbury, said: “The introduction of pet-friendly policies in rental agreements is a nuanced issue that requires careful consideration to balance the interests of tenants with those of landlords.

“Not all property types may be suitable for pets, for instance flats within blocks and properties without gardens.

“The third reading of the Bill recently included a mandate that tenants either maintain insurance to cover potential pet damage or compensate the landlord for the reasonable cost of obtaining such insurance.”

She added: “This is a positive step forward which does seem to address landlords’ concerns while also enhancing the lives of tenants and their pets.

“However more detail is still required to ensure that pets can only be requested in an appropriate property.”

Landlords worry over allowing pets

LRG’s survey highlights that landlords worry over allowing pets is higher than the prospect of removing Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions.

Notably, only 9.8% of landlords see a positive impact from the pet policy changes.

From a tenant’s perspective, 56% of landlords said the ‘right to request a pet’ is a positive – while 16% view it as negative, and 16% say it won’t make a difference.

However, the survey also found that 68% of tenants said they didn’t request a pet when they last moved – because they didn’t own one.

Asked a landlord to keep a pet

The survey found that 18% of tenants had asked a landlord to keep a pet and were accepted, 9% had difficulty but did find somewhere to rent.

Just 2% said they had difficulty finding a property and didn’t get a pet.

Landlords told researchers: “Ownership of dogs in flats [is] negative unless [there is] outside space – barking can be a problem!!” Another adds: “Don’t think people should be able to have dogs more easily – they are destructive if left alone, damage gardens, but most importantly, can create difficulties with neighbours as so many bark for long periods.”

A third landlord said: “Better for tenants but re the pets, more constraints on landlords trying to maintain decent standards of property.”


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Pamthomp33

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11:01 AM, 3rd May 2024, About 8 months ago

Pet insurance is almost a waste of time as it generally only covers damage once or twice and under certain conditions. I can't see any insurer covering a dog that is kept in all day in a house for example.

Reluctant Landlord

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12:42 PM, 3rd May 2024, About 8 months ago

I'm not worried. I wont be having them and that's that. It is unreasonable to demand that I have to accept them so that is my take on it!

If need be I will market the property as purposely pet free to cater for those with allergies or who do NOT want to live in a property where pets have been present previously.

Gunga Din

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12:59 PM, 3rd May 2024, About 8 months ago

Tenants have always had the right to request pets. I've always had the right to decline. Pre-tenancy start, if a tenant voices the intention, I can always reject them on other grounds, or tell them straight up that I don't think a flat is a practical home for a dog (for example).
Lizards - fish - no problem......

Paddy O'Dawes

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14:18 PM, 3rd May 2024, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 03/05/2024 - 12:42
That may be an interesting way around assistance and service animals with a defence against discrimination due to the refusal.

Reluctant Landlord

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17:00 PM, 3rd May 2024, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Paddy O'Dawes at 03/05/2024 - 14:18
I think it is perfectly reasonable to also refuse pets on the basis that I also have an obligation to existing/ surrounding tenants for 'peaceful enjoyment'. That could cover a myriad of things including noise disturbance from barking. The point is the impact of a pet is not just an internal damage consideration but the wider view.
I for example have a tenant with pretty severe cat allergies. They rented from me specifically because I never had pets.

Everytime the government come up with an all encompassing idea, it excludes others directly.
I shall be an anti allergenic landlord (if I say in the PRS that is....)

Michael Booth

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18:12 PM, 3rd May 2024, About 8 months ago

Right to keep pets will require compulsory insurance paid by the tenant and any damaged property picked up on inspection that is not coveredby insurance will be paid for by tenant any refusal will mean end of tenancy.

Cider Drinker

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20:56 PM, 3rd May 2024, About 8 months ago

I don’t mind having pets. It’s the tenants that are the problem.

Reluctant Landlord

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7:42 AM, 4th May 2024, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Michael Booth at 03/05/2024 - 18:12<br 1.
impossible for a LL to claim against as the policy not in their name. Who makes the claim?...2, tenant can cancel policy at any time- how would the landlord know? 3 Are insurance companies really going to side with LL as this means paying out? (same issue with DPS schemes) 4.

Neil Robb

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8:53 AM, 4th May 2024, About 8 months ago

You got to love all those that say . Tenants have right to decorate . Or have pets.

I have just had to redecorate a flat the was rented 18 months ago . As the paints was so bad. Leaving one wall less than half done.

I wish I could post the pictures.

This was no where near the worst.

This week in one off my newish builds.

I had to rip up ever carpet due to being the pets toilet . House was stinking.

No wonder they left there sofa. It was full of pish.

Tenants don't care when a landlord says no. They just get one.

I had many tenants on low income that can't afford to feed themselves but try to take the responsibility of a pet on.

They won't walk them or care for them.

I have had to phone the RSPCA on one. The sh@t in the yard was just piled up . When I say it was as high as my knee in the corner.

These people just don't deserve to keep animals.

As for paying for damage . The deposit would not cover any where near normal damage let alone damage done by pets.

One time had a tenant leave . I went into property walked up the stairs then back down . Looked down I had at least seven fleas on my ankles.

It took six months three treatments.

Then I ripped out all the carpets .

My guess I was down six to eight thousand pounds.

They say tenants can have insurance how do you know they kept the policy on. And how do you make them put in a claim.

I had another tenant my daughter has ADHD can I get a small dog for her.

Ok I said . A year later I turn up there is a dog the size of a Shetland pony. Neighbours going mad as she let dog out to sh@t everywhere and not clean it up.

GlanACC

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8:17 AM, 6th May 2024, About 8 months ago

I have never had a problem with pets in any of my properties. Having said that if I had a BTL that was a flat I would probably object.

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